Succulents have won the hearts of many due to their special beauty and low maintenance. These water-storing plants are ideal for anyone who wants some greenery inside the house or in his yard without the hassle of their continuous care, watering, etc. Whether to add vibrancy to an indoor space or to present a breathtaking outdoor garden display, succulents will answer all your most fanciful dreams with shapes, color varieties, and size variations. This article will review 15 of the more popular types, all with their special characteristics and needs.
Aloe Vera: The Medicinal Marvel
Probably among the most recognizable types of succulents, Aloe Vera is highly prized not only for its stunning looks but also for its healing power. Thick and fleshy leaves are filled with soothing gel used to treat burns, cuts, and other skin traumas. Aloe Vera thrives well in the garden, with bright indirect sunlight and infrequent watering, making them ideal for both professional and amateur gardeners. In addition to that, it has air-purifying properties so this plant is just perfect indoors or outdoors.
Echeveria: The Colorful Rosette
The Echeverias are one of the most sought-after succulents for their very appealing rosette shapes in color variations from soft pastel shades to brash and bold. Such hardy plants are very easy to look after because they do well in full sun and require minimal watering. Their compact size makes them ideal for small areas and allows them to be used in various arrangements-from garden beds to container gardens. Moreover, they add a touch of color to one's residence. Being the low-maintenance type, they are excellent for those who are very busy at work or in life in general.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): The Money Tree
The Jade Plant goes by the common name of the Money Tree, which symbolizes fortune and prosperity in most cultures. Thick, varnished leaves often reach a reddish hue when plants are out in bright sunlight adding color to the rich green foliage. Jade Plants are extremely hardy, enjoying a wide range of conditions, and require only bright light with occasional watering. Their slow growth and ease of care make them an excellent choice for indoor gardens; they will live for many years with a minimum of attention.
Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata):The Succulent with Stripes
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Zebra plants are small succulents; strikingly good looking to boot, they are surely recognizable by their dark green leaves with horizontal white stripes. Small in size but never out of place, this little greener fits into any tiny spot and is unkillable, making its care child's play. For this reason, the Zebra Plant tolerated low light conditions, and thus it can serve well for indoor settings where the placement of the plant in its place might limit the actual exposure to light. Due to its unique look and hence the ability to adapt to unpretentious conditions, the Zebra Plant very easily gains a place in any collection of succulent plants.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): The Hanging Beauty
The String of Pearls is one hanging-down succulent that adds whimsy to your plant gathering. The succulent shows narrow stems, bearing small, pea-like leaves that take the appearance of a string of pearls; hence, being very popular for hanging baskets. String of Pearls prefers bright, indirect light with sensible watering, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. This distinctive succulent is great to add visual interest to any room and might just be a conversation starter because of its outrageous appearance.
Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum): The Trailing Treasure
Burro's Tail is one of those trailing types of succulents and has been known to possess very long cascading stems covered by plump, fleshy leaves. This plant happens to be a favorite in hanging baskets or pots placed on high shelves so the falling effect of its trailers can be well applied. The Burro's Tail enjoys bright light and well-drained soil; thus, it is perfectly suitable for those windows or spots that happen to be very sunny either in your house or garden. Its distinctive look and relative ease of care make it a hit with succulent enthusiasts seeking something a bit different from the norm.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa): The Furry Friend
Panda Plant is one whimsical succulent that's pretty much as entertaining to touch as it is to view. This plant has soft, velvetlike leaves covered in fine hairs with brown edges, giving an almost fuzzy, panda-like appearance. This succulent is easy to grow; it requires bright light with minimal watering, and adds texture to any plant arrangement. Panda Plant's unique appearance makes it a favorite among children and adults alike, and it's a great way to introduce kids to the joys of gardening.
Lithops: The Disguised Succulent
Lithops are small succulents known as Living Stones because of their resemblance to pebbles. They have, over time, mastered this camouflage by the wonders of heavy blending into the backgrounds as a survival strategy in the arid desert environment they naturally belong to. They require lots of sunlight and minimal water with well-draining soil. They are ideal plants for anyone who would like to add a touch of mystery to their succulent assemblage and can be used as quite a good conversation topic. Thus, one is introduced to the following species.
Snake Plant: Indestructible Succulent
Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law's Tongue is one of the most indestructible succulents you will ever grow. Its leaves are tall and upright, laced-shaped, and can put up with an extreme change in conditions from low to bright, direct sunlight. Snake Plant requires infrequent watering and is famous for air purification, so it's recommended in bedrooms and living rooms. Its ease in living without much care makes it perfect for junior planters and for those on the go.
Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria): The Spiky Bloomer
Pincushion Cactus is a small, globular succulent that is covered in spines. Flowers are brilliant and come in many colors. Grow in full sun and water sparingly, which makes this an excellent plant for anyone who wishes to add just that touch of the desert to their plants. This hardy plant works well on sunny window sills or in gardens in warm climates.
Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense): The Pastel Beauty
Ghost Plant is a delicate-looking succulent that bears pale, silvery leaves, which on occasion may take on tints of pink or blue under just the right light. Not only does it have an other-worldly appearance, but it is also very hardy and easy to care for, thriving in full sun and in well-draining soil. Its leaves are fragile, so be easy with them; however, it's worth the care because of its beautiful looks. Ghost Plant adds soft pastel coloration to succulent arrangements and brings out a soothing calmness in your garden or indoors.
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum): The Ground Cover
Hens and Chicks are tough succulents with compact rosettes and easy spreaders, which make them excellent ground covers for sunny areas. They are indeed low-maintenance plants that thrive well in poor soil with minimal water. The rosettes are normally the "hen" that produces small rosettes called "chicks" around them, forming a tight mat of foliage. Hens and Chicks would thrive nicely in rock gardens, borders, or at any other place you want some greenery with very little effort.
Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens): The Vibrant Groundcover
This is a low-growing succulent with striking blue-green leaves. Drought tolerant, Blue Chalksticks enjoy full sun and add color and texture to a garden bed, border, or container. Blue Chalksticks easily spread out, so it is also used to build a dynamic, living carpet in your garden area. Its unique color and low maintenance make it popular among succulent enthusiasts when one wants to add something different to their collection.
Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus):The Christmas Bloomer
The Christmas Cactus is a special succulent that blooms during winter. It bears very colorful flowers, from pink and red to white. Most of the other succulents do not like indirect light with slightly more water, but this plant does. This is one of the most popular plants during the holiday seasons given as gifts to somebody to add some festive flavor to their home. If properly cared for, the Christmas Cactus will bloom year after year, adding color to a home during the time of year when most other plants are not actively flowering.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii): The Ever Blooming
The Crown of Thorns is one of those tough succulents that flowers throughout the whole year. This is characterized by spiky stems that bear vibrant flowers, making it one of the peculiar plants to be added to any garden or interior space. The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the best succulents to grow, as it does best in bright light conditions and requires very little care. This plant will bloom throughout the year under less-than-ideal conditions, therefore earning a place in the hearts of succulent enthusiasts who want a continuous color display from these plants.
This expanded and refined guide gives you the full rundown on 15 of the most popular varieties of succulents-all with their own appeal and different care needs. If you are a beginning gardener or an experienced plant enthusiast, there's something for everyone among these succulents.
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